The Dukes of Hazzard was a television phenomenon, making stars out of its cast members and becoming an enormously profitable franchise.
The show aired on CBS from 1979-1985, becoming the No. 2 rated show on television at the height of its success, second only to the mighty Dallas.
The iconic program generated enormous profits from not only its successful network run, but also merchandise sales related to the show.
That’s where the show’s two biggest stars and its producers came to a parting of the ways.
What Was the Lawsuit Between The Dukes of Hazzard and Its Stars?
The show was riding high in the ratings as it entered its fifth season, and its stars, John Schneider and Tom Wopat, were involved in a salary dispute with the show’s producers.
They were arguing over both salaries and merchandising royalties, and Schneider and Wopat staged a walkout, refusing to turn up to film the new season until their contracts were settled.
They filed a lawsuit, and producers countersued for breach of contract.
As negotiations rolled on, producers hired two new actors to play two new Duke cousins during Season 5.
Byron Cherry played Coy Duke, and Christopher Mayer portrayed Vance Duke, but it was immediately apparent that fans were not accepting the new situation.
Ratings and profits plummeted, and Schneider and Wopat returned before the end of the season after the studio hastily worked out new terms, with the two other Duke boys unceremoniously shown the door.
The Dukes of Hazzard recovered somewhat in the ratings, but never fully regained the numbers from its peak. The show limped through two more seasons before it was canceled after Season 7.
Who Starred in The Dukes of Hazzard?
The Dukes of Hazzard starred John Schneider and Tom Wopat as Bo and Luke Duke, two “good old boys,” as the show’s famous theme song described them, who were always living just a little bit on the wrong side of the law.
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The show was relatively simple, but fun plots centered around their various scrapes with the local sheriff and a corrupt local kingpin named Boss Hogg, a longtime archenemy of their family.
Catherine Bach portrayed Daisy Duke, the Duke boys’ cousin who worked at a local bar.
She tended to get involved in the middle of their shenanigans, and the tiny cutoff shorts she wore on the show sparked the daisy dukes craze that is still popular today in Southern rural culture.
How Long Was The Dukes of Hazzard on the Air?
The Dukes of Hazzard debuted on Jan. 26, 1979, and wrapped on Feb. 7, 1985.
The years since the show went off the air have held their ups and downs for the cast of The Dukes of Hazzard. While most of them have gone on to more career success, their personal lives have had their share of trouble.
Where Are the Cast of The Dukes of Hazzard Now?
Both of the show’s lead actors have spent time in jail in recent years, and another cast member lost a spouse to suicide.
Another cast member went on to a second career in U.S. politics! Do you know which one?
Sadly, we’ve also lost several of the cast members since the show went off the air. Read on to catch up with the cast of the Dukes of Hazzard and see what they look now.
PICTURES: Here’s What the Cast of ‘The Dukes of Hazzard’ Look Like Today!
The Dukes of Hazzard was more than just a popular TV show. It was a television phenomenon that launched several of its cast members into sex symbol status.
Decades after the show debuted in 1979, the cast members look very different today, but they’ve held up remarkably well.
Gallery Credit: Sterling Whitaker
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Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes
